What is Job Corps?
Over the last 40 years, Job Corps has built its reputation as the nation’s largest and most successful residential and educational workforce training program for economically disadvantaged youth, ages 16 through 24. This voluntary program serves nearly 65,000 young Americans every year and has trained and educated more than two million young people since the first Job Corps Center opened in 1965.
Where is Job Corps?
Job Corps has 122 centers in 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Four of these centers were opened since 2002 to serve more of our nation’s eligible young people. Students live on Job Corps centers, and centers are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Job Corps also manages outreach, admissions, and career transitions operations at hundreds of locations around the country.
Who is eligible to enroll?
Income level determines Job Corps Eligibility. Only low-income youth who lack skills necessary to find a job are eligible for admissions to Job Corps. The typical Job Corps student is a high school drop out who reads slightly less than the 8th grade level and is motivated by the chance for a more promising future. Most students learn about Job Corps from a friend or family member, through school, a potential employer, faith-based or community organization, One-Stop-Career Center, or employment services worker. To be admitted to this voluntary program, Job Corps candidates must be free of behavioral and drug problems and must agree to abide by Job Corps Zero Tolerance policy for drugs, alcohol, and violence.
How does Job Corps work?
Interested young people apply to join the program through an admission counselor. Eligible youth are assigned to a specific Job Corps center, usually one that is located nearest to the young person’s home and offers vocational training of interest. While living on center, students participate in academic and work-based learning, as well as employability skills training. After students leave the program, Job Corps provide placement assistance for jobs, further education, and the military. There is also a follow-up period during which staff supports graduates in finding and retaining employment.
What do Job Corps students learn?
As part of their Job Corps training, students learn vocational trades through a variety of methods, from hands-on-instruction to job shadowing to work placements. Nationally, vocational training represents more than 100 occupations in a range of industries, including automotive, information technology (IT), security, construction, and health care. This training also allows students to learn the employability skills that employers say are the key to success in the workplace. Additionally, Job Corps provides critical academic training, including High School Diploma (HSD) and General Educational Development (GED) programs.
What kind of education do students receive?
Seventy-four percent of Job Corps enrollees are high school dropouts. The typical Job Corps student reads on slightly less than an 8th grade level. However, because of successful partnerships, small classes, and dedicated teachers, most Job Corps students dramatically improve their math and reading skills over a typical 8-month stay.
How long do students stay in Job Corps?
Because Job Corps is a self-paced program, lengths of stay vary. Students may remain enrolled for up to two years, but the average length of stay for graduates is 8.3 months. An optional additional year is granted for students who qualify for advanced training or college classes.
What does Job Corps do to assist students after graduation?
Job Corps provides career transition services for 6 months to ensure a graduate has the mentors and support services needed to succeed in the workplace. Through regular follow-up, staff assists graduates with transitional needs such as housing locations services, transportation, childcare, and financial planning.
Who runs Job Corps?
Job Corps is funded by Congress and administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. Private sector companies that have been awarded contracts through a competitive bid process handle most center operations, outreach, admissions, and job placement at 94 Job Corps centers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Interior and American Indian Nations operate the other 28 centers. Private sector employer partners, international labor unions, national trade associations, and national community-based organizations make significant contributions of equipment, curriculum, and instructors to enhance the quality of Job Corps training.
Is Job Corps accountable for its results?
Congress and the U.S. Department of Labor establish performance measures for Job Corps and Job Corps operators to evaluate center performance through achievements. This performance measure system makes centers accountable, and centers that do not perform must change management in order to achieve the results expected by Job Corps.
What role do employers play in Job Corps?
Job Corps works with national and local employers to provide the entry-level employees they need, and where and when they need them. Employers help students prepare for careers through involvement in areas ranging from curriculum designs to mock interviews to internships. They also assist in students’ career transition from Job Corps to the workforce through mentoring and support services.
Is Job Corps successful?
In the program year ending June 30, 2006, 88 percent of all Job Corps graduates were successfully placed.
Please contact Monica Rodriguez regarding this page.
Last revised:
February 8, 2007